Ken White, writing for The Atlantic:
The president said on Twitter that Friday’s news “totally clears
the President. Thank you!” It does not. Manafort and Cohen are in
trouble, and so is Trump. The special counsel’s confidence in his
ability to prove Manafort a liar appears justified, which leaves
Manafort facing what amounts to a life sentence without any
cooperation credit. The Southern District’s brief suggests that
Cohen’s dreams of probation are not likely to come true. All three
briefs show the special counsel and the Southern District closing
in on President Trump and his administration. They’re looking into
campaign contact with Russia, campaign-finance fraud in connection
with paying off an adult actress, and participation in lying to
Congress. A Democratic House of Representatives, just days away,
strains at the leash to help. The game’s afoot.
★